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The Snow Child
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The Snow Child - June 2015
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I've got it! I have a couple of other books I need to read first, but I should be able to start it fairly soon.
This one sounds interesting! Aside fairy tales, GR puts it under historical fiction and magical realism genre, sounds like my kind of reading :DBut Heidi, as you've read it, what kind of fairy tales it is? is it a retelling?
I'll try to get a copy sooner than later.
It's a retelling of a fairly obscure Russian tale. The first one listed here:http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0703.html
But, of course, that contains spoilers for the tale.
Rachmi wrote: "But Heidi, as you've read it, what kind of fairy tales it is? is it a retelling?"Yes, it is a retelling of "The Snow Child," and yes, there is magical realism, and I found the time and place of the historical fiction aspect, very fascinating. Different... and refreshing.
Thanks for the link, Mary!
Lisa, Ally, sounds like we'll have a good discussion!
Like Rachmi, this sounds like my kind of reading as well! The reviews really seem love it or hate it, but I think a lot of the hate it reasons (particularly slow moving plot), also ad to the chance of my liking it.If in the right mood (and they are well written), I really love ambiance-heavy, plot-light stories! :)
I've been in a "physical book" mood (v. kindle) so i'm going to check the used bookstore tonight. If they don't have one, I'll get the digital from the library (physical copies from the library are out until 6/17).
I'm looking forward to it!
I read the first three chapters today, and I'm in love with the writing. The author also managed to stir up my sympathy very early on in the story. My heart clenched when I read this: (view spoiler) :((view spoiler)
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Diane wrote: "Like Rachmi, this sounds like my kind of reading as well! The reviews really seem love it or hate it, but I think a lot of the hate it reasons (particularly slow moving plot), also ad to the chanc..."I also don't mind of slow pace as long as it's well written and the plot and the story are awesome :)
Glad to hear you love it so far, Ally. And I hope it gets better for you Lisa. I'm really looking forward to read it but I still haven't gotten time to pick it up. I hope I can read it one of these days, though.I never saw snow for my whole life so it always fascinated me. But I don't think I can live in Alaska either :)
Lisa wrote: "I'm glad you are enjoying it so far, Ally. This one is somewhat difficult for me. I don't dislike it, but it also isn't one that has "grabbed" me. I have found myself just leaving it sitting for se..."I'm sorry you're not liking it much so far! I do understand what you said about Mabel. I wanted to shake her after (view spoiler). Right now she does seem selfish in her actions, but the couple's overall situation is kind of heartbreaking.
I love the Alaskan setting and the historical aspect. But I agree with everyone else; I certainly wouldn't want to live there!
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I've found that what allowed me to immediately be sympathetic to Mabel (and continue to be) is remembering that this is 1920 or whenever it is (I think her stillborn was 1918). It was an entirely different world for women back then and it's much easier to "make the best of it" in this day and age than it would have been back then, for a women, perceived to have failed at producing a child. The stigma, the talk behind her back that she talks about at family gatherings, etc. would have been much different than the more medically knowledgeable sympathy someone could expect today.There weren't many options or outlets for women then. I mean (view spoiler) and there was a lot more stoic sublimating of grief required back then.
So, that's kept me open to Mabel from the get go.
All in all, I'm really enjoying the book. I was surprised when I realized I was only about a third of the way through because I thought the book would be wrapping up and when I saw that it wasn't, I wondered where it would go. I'm much closer to the end now and I have to say I once again don't really know where it is going to end up.
But I like the writing style a great deal and have overall really enjoyed it so far.
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Hey all you fab fairy tale readers!!!!So, Lisa, after the first chapter, I found the story slow going. I also would find it hard to come back to. I enjoyed it more from about 66% on... which I found curious because as an older reader, with the main characters being older, and not having children, I thought I might relate more (not having children myself!). I've given this issue thought since I finished reading, and for whatever reason (view spoiler)
Oh, but having moved to the Inland Northwest US from Texas via San Diego, I loved loved loved the setting in Alaska! Snow is new to me, probably because we don't get that much! But we do have to shovel on occasion and the beautiful envelopment of white quiet in contrast to heat and green, etc. is something I just love! So I really really enjoyed the setting and loved that it was set in the time of "homesteading". Like I haven't heard that term since I was in junior high school, lol. I thought the setting and time period for the novel was just wonderful.
Diane, you made a great point. Now, it's much more common for women to not have children, but back then, yes, things were different!
Ally, I'm glad to hear you are enjoying it!
Overall for me, I'm really glad I read it. There were passages that were just beautiful. Not sure why it dragged so and I wasn't eager to pick it up. I did not like (view spoiler)
Rach, as usual will be glad to hear your thoughts whenever you get there.
I'm having a crazy month, living in my writing cave, wrapping up Half Mortal so will be showing up less frequently until that's done.
Carry on!
I'm on page 148, so not quite halfway. It is dragging a bit, but I'm hoping something happens soon.I'm a bit worried that Mabel's desire for everyone to believe her will come back to bite her. (view spoiler)
I just finished the book last night, and I'm so glad it was the group pick, it's not something I would have read on my own.That said, this book brought my world to a complete standstill. I think anyone who has ever longed for a child, or longed to hold on when that child no longer wants to be held, will be brought to their knees by this book.
But my favorite part, and what I consider the heart of the story, is the rekindling of a love gone mute after twenty years of marriage. That part felt so real, I could barely breathe for fear it would fall apart.
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Puppitypup, I've wanted to read this for a long time, so I probably would have picked it up on my own:) but it was nice to have the group spur me on! I think you touched on a very strong part of the story that I overlooked, the rekindling of Mabel and Jack's marriage. Your point about the longing for children must be very true.Lisa! Haha! Not your favorite book. I have to admit I enjoyed Garrett and Faina's relationship more than Mabel and Jack's. I just found their wilderness courtship so refreshing. The end felt a little rushed to me? Not sure that was it, but that's what I'm thinking.
Yes, the Benson's were wonderful. I really liked (OMG, what's her name, I forgot already! Edna? Emma?)
Also at the end of the book were some discussion questions. I didn't read them all and returned the book a while back, but one question stuck out for me: What was the significance of Garrett seeing Faina for the first time when she was killing the swan? I didn't know. Does anyone else? The only thing I could come up with is that swans migrate, and so does she? Also she had the swan feathers on her wedding dress. But honestly, I'm a bit stumped on that one. If anyone who still has the book wants to throw out any of the other questions in the back, please do!
Ally, what did you end up thinking about it?Okay, Ally, I went and found your review. So maybe that was it, not that the ending was rushed but that it was unresolved.
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Heidi, I didn't know they had discussion questions, how fun! I'll have to think about the answer to that one.Lisa, I hate it when that happens! I sent a friend request to someone the other day and right after I hit send realized I spelled "your" when it should have been "you're." I was so embarrassed! There are times on GR it's hard to double-check yourself because the typing window is so small.
Lisa, those are good observations about the swan Faina connection. Puppitypup, I thought it was an interesting question, especially since I couldn't come up with an answer that satisfied me.
Those darn homophones! :)
I ended up enjoying it, if not loving it. Here's my short review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I'm not sure what the significance of the swan was either, aside from the wedding dress. I like Lisa's explanation, though.
Been thinking about the significance of the swan episode, and I think, ultimately, it was meant to underscore the underlying theme of the novel - longing.Garrett had a deep down need for affirmation, that Jack and Mabel had begun to fill. I think he felt threatened by Faina, even when she was just a figment of Mabel's imagination. But when Garrett finally sees her, not only is she real, she's an even better hunter than he is.
I think that's what triggered his anger, even before he saw her, she had top billing with Jack and Mabel, and that's what he longed for.
I also think the swan episode gave Garrett clear warning that Faina was preternatural, something he chose to ignore later, when his longing for her outgrew all other motives. But he was lying to himself, he knew the truth of her nature from that first sighting.
Lisa, I agree with your thoughts too.
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Great discussion. Puppitypup, Garrett definitely ran through the gamut of emotions with regards to Faina. The fact that she was a better hunter has to figure in, since the question was something like: What was the significance of Garrett's first sighting of Faina occurring when she was killing the swan? Faina also helped Jack kill the moose (?) Something that impressed Garrett.I looked up swan symbolism:
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/swan-m...
It didn't take me much farther in answering the question though. I still don't feel settled with the answer:) but it makes for a thoughtful discussion.
I think I'm a bit late reading this book as you're all have already finished it :)So I really like the story, and the writing and the setting, pretty much agree with you all. But I also find it's quite boring, especially in first part of the book. It feels drag on and I have to force myself to keep reading it.
I cannot connect with Mabel and Jack. Not because I don't feel sorry for them, I do. But because it feels like they are keeping their distance to me. It makes me feel like I only watch the story happens, not be part of it. I hope you understand what I mean.
On the other hand, it's so easy to connect with the Bensons, I especially love Esther. She's an interesting character. And I love that Garrett, slowly but surely be a part of Jack and Mabel family. I actually want them to think that somehow he's like their own son, despite he's already 13-years-old when they first met him. I also like that he feels like he doesn't belong to the Bensons? I know it sounds weird, but I understand why he feels that way. And I think it makes his relationship with Jack and Mabel more makes sense.
Although I cannot connect with Jack and Mabel, it doesn't mean that I don't like them. There is a time when I don't understand why Mabel cannot accept her new living in Alaska, when she's the one who suggested to move there. And there is also time when I want to tell Jack to just let Mabel help him to do the works. Because it clearly she feels like she doesn't belong with the homesteading(?) and the farm. But I love when here and there they show that they're still in love.
As for the significance of the swan episode, I have the same thought with Lisa and I also agree with Puppitypup. I love his relationship with Faina, and so sad that at the end (view spoiler), though somehow I can guess it. That makes me wonder how close this book to the original story?
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Rachmi, I don't think you're alone in not connecting with Mabel and Jack. If you're like me, sometimes, for whatever reason, a character will find no mercy in my heart, and for my feelings to be engaged, I have to have either respect or mercy for the character in question.For some reason, Jack and Mabel's longing just spoke to me, enhanced by the beauty of the author's writing, so I was never bored, and my heart was fully engaged, although I never passed the threshold of being Mabel, like I do often with other protagonists.
I just finished The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and for reasons I can't identify, my heart never engaged with the characters, making the book drag on and on.
I really want to give it more than 3 stars, though. I think it's a good story, but I just couldn't do it now. I'm thinking to reread it in the future. Maybe with second reading, I'll more like it :D
puppitypup wrote: "Rachmi, I don't think you're alone in not connecting with Mabel and Jack. If you're like me, sometimes, for whatever reason, a character will find no mercy in my heart, and for my feelings to be e..."I'm glad I'm not the only one. I kept asking why it's so hard for me to connect with Jack and Mabel when I know for sure I don't have problem with the story, other characters and the way it was written.
I think it's kind of hard to explain our the connection with the characters, because sometimes at the same time I don't have problem to connect with other characters in the same story, just like the Bensons. It's so easy for me to be with them since they first introduced to the story. Or just like you with The Invention of Wings that for reasons you cannot identify you cannot engage with the characters.
Rachmi wrote: "On the other hand, it's so easy to connect with the Bensons, I especially love Esther. She's an interesting character. And I love that Garrett, slowly but surely be a part of Jack and Mabel family. I actually want them to think that somehow he's like their own son, despite he's already 13-years-old when they first met him. I also like that he feels like he doesn't belong to the Bensons? I know it sounds weird, but I understand why he feels that way. And I think it makes his relationship with Jack and Mabel more makes sense. ..."Rach, I agree with this! The Bensons were so boisterous, colorful, and fun. I also loved how Garrett didn't really feel like he fit in with his own family, but found a place with Mabel and Jack. That was a very lovely part of the story:)
Have to say I've really enjoyed this discussion. Thank you everyone for participating,
I've always enjoyed our discussion. It was always a great one, if you ask me :) And in a way, our group reads help me find books I might not pick because I never heard of before, like this book and Mercedes Lackey book, The Fire Rose, we read few months before. So thanks for hosting it, Heidi and thank you guys for recommending good books to me :)
Heidi wrote: "Have to say I've really enjoyed this discussion. Thank you everyone for participating,"I agree. I'd just about given up on group reads in the other groups I'm a member of, even dropped out of several groups, because I joined for the discussions, and the discussions left so much to be desired. I very much enjoyed this one, thank you all :)
Awesome, Puppitypup! That is so good to hear! May we continue:D
Rachmi wrote: "And in a way, our group reads help me find books I might not pick because I never heard of before, like this book and Mercedes Lackey book, The Fire Rose, we read few months before. "Each, That is definitely one that I wouldn't have found on my own and I really enjoyed it too!!
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I confess, I've already read it! I checked out the ebook last month and when I couldn't find a way to renew it, I had to read it before the term expired on June 1! I'll hold off on my thoughts to give some others time to read! The only thing I can say: It would have been a lovely book to read in the winter;)
So, who is in for this one?